Compact Multichannel Optical Test Mass Sensing (B05)

• Subject Area: Optics, Quantum Optics and Physics of Atoms, Molecules and Plasmas
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 434617780

Compact and robust laser interferometers are developed that can read out multiple degrees of freedom of several test masses simultaneously with limited resources and crosstalk. These multi-channel interferometers will form the core of optical gradiometers consisting of six or seven test masses to be used in future gradiometry satellites for geodesy. A dedicated test interferometer for the optical readout via Deep Frequency Modulation and custom phasemeter systems has been built and is optimised before being installed in the torsion balance. Our technology will also be useful in other experiments on ground, e.g. for platform stabilisation.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1464: Relativistic and quantum-based geodesy (TerraQ)
• Applicant Institution: Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität Hannover
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Karsten Danzmann; Dr.-Ing. Juan José Esteban Delgado